I'm probably buying too much into the hype here. But if Smith can get anywhere close to the player he was at Notre Dame he's worthy of a top spot on this list. A lot is still undetermined. Between OTAs and minicamp we should have a better idea of where things stand with Smith, who missed all of his rookie season. The expectations at the moment are that he will be attempting to play with a brace on his left foot. If the nerve in his left leg ever fully recovers, Smith has the potential to be one of the Cowboys' best defenders.

Collins is expected to start in 2017. Where that will be is still somewhat up in the air. Most believe it will be left guard, taking the spot vacated by Ron Leary, who we will discuss shortly. But Doug Free's expected retirement changes things at right tackle. The Cowboys would prefer to keep Collins at guard. He played left tackle at LSU, though, so he could be an option if no one else is able to win the job. Collins is an exceptional talent who has shown flashes of a very high upside.

18. Tyrone Crawford, DE/DT

Ashley Landis/Staff Photographer

The ball hits /Dallas Cowboys defensive end Tyrone Crawford (98) as he and Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive guard Kevin Pamphile (64) try to recover a fumble by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter of their game on Sunday, December 18, 2016 on at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News) ORG XMIT: DMN1612182114255867

With the loss of Terrell McClain it could make some sense to move Crawford back inside. He played mostly defensive end in 2016 as McClain and rookie Maliek Collins handled the majority of the DT work. Crawford has position flexibility so he'll likely wind up playing wherever the Cowboys need him most. He's had shoulder surgeries in each of the last two offseasons. Since signing a five-year, $45 million extension before the 2015 season, Crawford has recorded 9.5 sacks in 30 games.

The most gifted pass rusher on the Cowboys roster is in the final year of his rookie contract. He is also coming off a second back surgery in as many years. After leading the Cowboys in sacks in 2015 with eight, Lawrence managed only one in nine game last season. He missed the first four games of the 2016 season after being suspended for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Pass rush continues to be a major question mark in Dallas. If Rod Marinelli's group is going to have a double-digit sack guy up front, Lawrence is the most likely candidate.

Scandrick played in 12 games his first season back from a 2015 knee injury. He intercepted one pass and broke up eight. Judging by what the Cowboys appear to have returning in their secondary, Scandrick will be the leader on the back end. He's been arguably the team's best corner over the last five years, excelling at defending slot receivers. If the season started today, Scandrick, Anthony Brown and recently signed veteran Nolan Carroll would be Dallas' starting CBs in its nickel package.

Carr's availability has been his greatest strength. He's started every game of his nine-year NFL career. He didn't produce the big numbers expected of a $50 million free agent but he was solid at a position that has been very thin for the Cowboys. Carr intercepted seven passes and broke up 45 during his five seasons in Dallas. He is currently a free agent. For the right price, a return to the Cowboys could be a possibility.

The Cowboys recently re-signed Williams, keeping their entire 2016 receiving corps intact. Williams has been a good complement to Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley. Over his first four seasons with the Cowboys, Williams has averaged 700 yards and five touchdowns per season. Often criticized for being a body-catcher, Williams has actually come up with several huge catches over the years in key moments. Re-signing Williams also frees the Cowboys from having to draft a wide receiver in the early rounds.

The league's best offensive line took an expected hit when Leary recently signed a four-year, $35 million deal with the Denver Broncos. Leary started 47 games over the last four years at left guard. His consistency was an integral part of DeMarco Murray's 1,845-yard rushing season in 2014 and Ezekiel Elliott's 1,631-yard season in 2016. A degenerative knee condition caused Leary to go undrafted in 2012.

The defensive captain signed a four-year, $26 million contract with Jacksonville last week. Church's departure leaves Dallas with a sizeable hole on the back end. He started all but five games the last four seasons. Church was routinely one of the team's leading tacklers, finishing with a career-high 107 in 2013. He was second on the team in tackles behind Sean Lee in 2016 and first in interceptions with two. If the Cowboys played today, Jeff Heath would likely be the starting strong safety.

11. Cole Beasley, WR

Louis DeLuca/Staff Photographer

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley (11) looks to gain more yardage after catching a pass during the Baltimore Ravens vs. the Dallas Cowboys NFL football game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sunday, November 20, 2016. (Louis DeLuca/The Dallas Morning News)

For the fifth consecutive season Beasley's receiving yards increased. He led the Cowboys with 833 yards and 75 receptions on 98 targets. The term "QB-friendly" is often used by coaches and players when describing Beasley. Dak Prescott mentioned early last season that Beasley is always open. With Dez Bryant and Terrance Williams on the outside, plenty of space should remain underneath for one of the NFL's top inside receivers.